Martial Bourdin was an anarchist who accidentally blew himself up near the Greenwich Royal Observatory in London in 1894. This event formed the basis for a book by Joseph Conrad and a film by Alfred Hitchcock, but behind the absurdity and horror lies a familiar tale of secret agents, insider accounts and the advancement of the security state. This week we examine the mystery of the death of Martial Bourdin, the problems of the official record and the secrecy surrounding the infiltration of the anarchist movement in this period. I round off by presenting a theory that could explain what happened, in light of what we have already discussed in this series.

Welcome to our seventeenth episode of Probable Cause. In our previous episode we discussed the realities of whistleblowing, and explored the reasons for there being dozens or more silent witnesses for every whistleblower-for every truth-teller. Today, in this episode, we are going to further this angle, and delve deeper into those reasons. We will expand our context from government whistleblowers to mainstream media reporters.

Do silent witnesses engage in ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ when they cite obstacles and futility for their refraining from standing up for the truth? Would the outcomes be different if multiple whistleblowers unite and come forward to expose criminality and lies, and to stand up for the truth jointly? These are only some of the questions we will be posing before we move to a similar trend applicable to US mainstream media journalists. We will compare and contrast journalists around the world who unite for the truth and against lies and censorship to American journalists and the absence of such a trend among them.

As always, our next episode will be based on your reaction, critique, responses and questions posed in the comments section below.

While President Obama claims he wants to close the prison complex at Guantanamo, the prospects look slim at present. Jason Leopold just returned from another week-long reporting visit, and interviewed the new commander, Rear Admiral Richard Butler, who says he supports Obama's call to shut it down; the commander who opened the prison in 2002, Maj. Gen. Lenhart, recently said it never should have been opened. Attorney Robert Wagstaff details how the offshore prison violates basic notions of fair play, due process, and the rule of law, and calls Obama out for weak leadership. Leopold and Wagstaff talk about the impediments to shutdown, especially in the cases of about 45 prisoners who are told they will not be charged or tried--nor released--indefinitely.

Jason Leopold is an investigative journalist who has been covering Guantanamo for many years and now reports for Al Jazeera. Robert H. Wagstaff is a constitutional lawyer based in Anchorage, Alaska and past president of the Alaska Bar Assn. His new book from Oxford University Press is Terror Detentions and the Rule of Law: US and UK Perspectives.

Guillermo Jimenez Presents Cele Castillo
On this edition of De-Manufacturing Consent: Guillermo is joined by former DEA Agent, Iran-Contra whistleblower, and author of the book, Powderburns: Cocaine, Contras, and the Drug War, Celerino Castillo III. Cele shares his remarkable story, reflecting on a journey that began over twenty years ago after blowing the whistle on some of the biggest crimes the U.S. government has ever committed. Cele provides a first-hand account of the CIA's policy of death and destruction, its wiretapping of DEA agents in the field, the assassination of agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena by its assets, and how he narrowly escaped the same fate. We take a candid look at the price paid, both professionally and personally, for speaking truth to power, and why it had to be done.

Ryan Dawson Presents Grant Smith

The Israeli lobbies under the umbrella of the ZOA and now AIPAC have not only routinely spied on the US, they have financed and organized front companies to actively steal military weapons and secrets without any real consequences. Grant F Smith of Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy joins us today to explain the theft and the players and how the Lobby with corrupt DOJ Attorney Generals facilitated both the resources and the cover up for the crimes. We also discuss the new video of a former NASA employee Stewart Nozette selling secrets to an undercover FBI agent posing as a Mossad operative working for IAI which was released this week.

“War, Peace, and the Search for Our Humanity” with Kathy Kelly

This week, Eric has an in-depth conversation with peace activist and author Kathy Kelly. They discuss the human side of war: the children taken from their parents, the fathers ruthlessly assassinated, the lives permanently shattered. Kathy provides emotionally moving first-hand accounts of her experiences in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and other war zones, explaining the impact on individuals that have touched her life. Eric and Kathy examine the use of drones and the redefinition of war under the Obama administration. In addition, they critique the very notions of "humanitarian intervention" and the "Responsibility to Protect" doctrine as little more than rhetorical devices used to justify and legitimize blatant imperialist aggression. Kathy and Eric also provide insights into how to build an effective, broad-based antiwar movement in the US.

Kathy Kelly is an activist, author and co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Non-Violence. She has worked extensively in the US and around the world on issues as far-ranging as poverty, nuclear disarmament, and US imperialism. Visit vcnv.org for more information on how to follow her work and get involved.

Tina Turner & Tony Joe White

Sooner or later we had to have Tina Turner as our BFP/Jamiol Music Pick. She needs no introduction. The only problem with her music is picking out a song from a career of phenomenal songs and performances. I decided that I would segue into her song from last week's BFP/J pick. We listened to singer-songwriter and guitarist Tony Joe White. This week's song, Steamy Windows, was written by White and he's on stage with Tina with his guitar. It is really great Tina performance. So jack up the sound and if you can play full screen.

The concert was at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona back in October 1990 in front of 75,000 people. I saw Tina many, many moons ago when she was starting out with Ike Turner. It was at a bowling alley lounge in Cambridge, MA. She has come a long. long way....PJ [Read more...]

Tony Joe White

Tonight's BFP/Jamiol music pick is what "Soothing the Beast" is all about. American singer-songwriter and guitarist Tony Joe White wrote his hit Rainy Night In Georgia back in 1962. It has been covered by many artists but no one does it like Mr. White. So break out that frosty mug of beer or glass of wine, get out the ear phones or ease up those speakers and chill to Tony Joe White performing Rainy Night in Georgia...PJ [Read more...]

The Maple Spring: The Student Movement in Quebec

There has been a virtual media blackout - or outright propaganda campaign in regards to the current student strike and emerging social movement taking place in Quebec, Canada, now entering its 12th week. There have been over 160 protests in over 70 days, with constant police brutality, state repression, and increased activism and mobilization from the youth. Beginning over plans to raise tuition by 75%, the movement has expanded into what is now being referred to as the 'Maple Spring,' a movement against the social, political, and economic inequalities which exist in Quebec, in Canada, and around the world. Learn what the media isn't telling you about what's happening here in Quebec.